Post by WG on Mar 18, 2006 16:45:58 GMT -5
A Lafayette police officer's resignation this week won't end a criminal investigation into allegations she abused prescription pain medication.
Officer Brooke Presley, 33, voluntarily resigned Wednesday after a three-day internal investigation, so the issue won't go before the Lafayette Police Department's Civil Service Commission.
Details of the criminal probe -- being conducted by LPD detective Lt. Kurt Wolf -- will be turned over to the Tippecanoe County prosecutor's office, officials said during a news conference Friday at City Hall.
"There's an element of public trust at stake here," deputy chief John Dennis said. "We all know ... how destructive addiction can be. It can ruin lives, careers, reputations."
A home phone listing could not be found for officer Presley, 33, who was not at the press conference. Her resignation brings the number of sworn LPD personnel to 117, three shy of full staff.
Dennis said another LPD officer alerted commanders Monday that Presley may have a problem abusing painkillers. A separate criminal investigation got underway Tuesday morning.
About a year ago, Presley was injured and was prescribed painkillers. It's unknown if that led to her alleged addiction, Dennis said.
He declined to release what drugs she may have used or where they came from, pending the criminal probe.
The nine-year department veteran was one of four officers in the newly formed traffic enforcement unit, said Lt. Jeanette Bennett, commander of the traffic division.
Dennis said Presley's commanders saw no indication in Presley's work performance that she may have a problem.
"She was diligent and enthusiastic about her job," Dennis said. "Her performance was satisfactory always.
"... There was nothing to show that her performance was less than stellar."
Dennis said the internal investigation found Presley violated five department rules and regulations, but he declined to release the specific policies because the matter won't go before the police commission.
Dennis said he called the news conference because "Chief (Don) Roush and I both feel very strongly that there is no problem that can occur within the walls of this police department that the community we serve cannot be privileged to."
A Lafayette police officer's resignation this week won't end a criminal investigation into allegations she abused prescription pain medication.
Brooke Presley, 33, voluntarily resigned Wednesday after a three-day internal investigation, so the issue won't go before the Lafayette Police Department's Civil Service Commission.
Details of the criminal probe -- being conducted by LPD detective Lt. Kurt Wolf -- will be turned over to the Tippecanoe County prosecutor's office, officials said during a news conference Friday at City Hall.
"There's an element of public trust at stake here," deputy chief John Dennis said. "We all know ... how destructive addiction can be. It can ruin lives, careers, reputations."
A home phone listing could not be found for Presley, 33, who was not at the press conference. Her resignation brings the number of sworn LPD personnel to 117, three shy of full staff.
Dennis said another LPD officer alerted commanders Monday that Presley may have a problem abusing painkillers. A separate criminal investigation got underway Tuesday morning.
About a year ago, Presley was injured and was prescribed painkillers. It's unknown if that led to her alleged addiction, Dennis said.
He declined to release what drugs she may have used or where they came from, pending the criminal probe.
The nine-year department veteran was one of four officers in the newly formed traffic enforcement unit, said Lt. Jeanette Bennett, commander of the traffic division.
Dennis said Presley's commanders saw no indication in Presley's work performance that she may have a problem.
"She was diligent and enthusiastic about her job," Dennis said. "Her performance was satisfactory always.
"... There was nothing to show that her performance was less than stellar."
Dennis said the internal investigation found Presley violated five department rules and regulations, but he declined to release the specific policies because the matter won't go before the police commission.
Dennis said he called the news conference because "Chief (Don) Roush and I both feel very strongly that there is no problem that can occur within the walls of this police department that the community we serve cannot be privileged to."
Officer Brooke Presley, 33, voluntarily resigned Wednesday after a three-day internal investigation, so the issue won't go before the Lafayette Police Department's Civil Service Commission.
Details of the criminal probe -- being conducted by LPD detective Lt. Kurt Wolf -- will be turned over to the Tippecanoe County prosecutor's office, officials said during a news conference Friday at City Hall.
"There's an element of public trust at stake here," deputy chief John Dennis said. "We all know ... how destructive addiction can be. It can ruin lives, careers, reputations."
A home phone listing could not be found for officer Presley, 33, who was not at the press conference. Her resignation brings the number of sworn LPD personnel to 117, three shy of full staff.
Dennis said another LPD officer alerted commanders Monday that Presley may have a problem abusing painkillers. A separate criminal investigation got underway Tuesday morning.
About a year ago, Presley was injured and was prescribed painkillers. It's unknown if that led to her alleged addiction, Dennis said.
He declined to release what drugs she may have used or where they came from, pending the criminal probe.
The nine-year department veteran was one of four officers in the newly formed traffic enforcement unit, said Lt. Jeanette Bennett, commander of the traffic division.
Dennis said Presley's commanders saw no indication in Presley's work performance that she may have a problem.
"She was diligent and enthusiastic about her job," Dennis said. "Her performance was satisfactory always.
"... There was nothing to show that her performance was less than stellar."
Dennis said the internal investigation found Presley violated five department rules and regulations, but he declined to release the specific policies because the matter won't go before the police commission.
Dennis said he called the news conference because "Chief (Don) Roush and I both feel very strongly that there is no problem that can occur within the walls of this police department that the community we serve cannot be privileged to."
A Lafayette police officer's resignation this week won't end a criminal investigation into allegations she abused prescription pain medication.
Brooke Presley, 33, voluntarily resigned Wednesday after a three-day internal investigation, so the issue won't go before the Lafayette Police Department's Civil Service Commission.
Details of the criminal probe -- being conducted by LPD detective Lt. Kurt Wolf -- will be turned over to the Tippecanoe County prosecutor's office, officials said during a news conference Friday at City Hall.
"There's an element of public trust at stake here," deputy chief John Dennis said. "We all know ... how destructive addiction can be. It can ruin lives, careers, reputations."
A home phone listing could not be found for Presley, 33, who was not at the press conference. Her resignation brings the number of sworn LPD personnel to 117, three shy of full staff.
Dennis said another LPD officer alerted commanders Monday that Presley may have a problem abusing painkillers. A separate criminal investigation got underway Tuesday morning.
About a year ago, Presley was injured and was prescribed painkillers. It's unknown if that led to her alleged addiction, Dennis said.
He declined to release what drugs she may have used or where they came from, pending the criminal probe.
The nine-year department veteran was one of four officers in the newly formed traffic enforcement unit, said Lt. Jeanette Bennett, commander of the traffic division.
Dennis said Presley's commanders saw no indication in Presley's work performance that she may have a problem.
"She was diligent and enthusiastic about her job," Dennis said. "Her performance was satisfactory always.
"... There was nothing to show that her performance was less than stellar."
Dennis said the internal investigation found Presley violated five department rules and regulations, but he declined to release the specific policies because the matter won't go before the police commission.
Dennis said he called the news conference because "Chief (Don) Roush and I both feel very strongly that there is no problem that can occur within the walls of this police department that the community we serve cannot be privileged to."